Buffalo's impressive defensive performance have the Sabres pointed in the right direction.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- When your team has sunk to 26th overall and finally won its second game of the month Friday, it's a struggle to be positive while the season is in danger of disintegrating before your eyes.

So after Buffalo defeated Carolina 3-1 Friday night at HSBC Arena to improve its December record to 2-7-1, Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff took the glass-is-half-full approach.

REUTERS/Jim YoungJean-Pierre Dumont has been part of a dynamic line.

"I told the team after the game we have the same number of wins now as the Boston Bruins, who came out and played tremendous hockey early in the year but have hit a tough spot, too," Ruff said. "At the same time I think we have the same number of wins as the New York Rangers, so there's room to move up."